13 Going on 30 director Gary Winick dies

'13 Going on 30' director Gary Winick has died after a battle with cancer.

The filmmaker - who also directed 'Letters to Juliet' with Amanda Seyfried - was diagnosed with brain cancer some time ago, before dying yesterday (27.02.11) at the age of 49 according to his manager Rosalie Swedlin.

She told The Hollywood Reporter: "He was suffering from brain cancer for quite some time, and it ultimately metastasized throughout his body.

"What's remarkable is that after his first surgery, he was able to direct 'Letters to Juliet'. It was a battle that we thought he had won, and ultimately they just didn't get it all."

She explained that a private funeral service is still being planned, and people will be asked to donate to charity.

She added: "He was very special to me. He was a dear friend as well as a longtime client. Gary was an incredibly important figure in the indie movement. He will be missed."

Along with his work on romantic comedies, Mr. Winick was also well known for his independent films. In 1999, he founded the company InDigEnt, which went on to produce nineteen independent films over ten years.

Director Matt Dentler first announced the news on twitter yesterday (27.02.11), saying: "Gary Winick died today. Too late to make the Oscars tribute, but way too early. He leaves behind a legacy of supporting indie film and NYC."